Correlation between Clinical Grading Systems and Electrophysiologic Evaluation in the Idiopathic Facial Palsy

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2001;3(2):58-63.
Published online May 10, 2001.

Abstract

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate and compare the clinical findings using House-Brackmann & Nottingham systems and electrophysiologic findings in the idiopathic facial palsy Methods : Thirty seven patients with idiopathic facial palsy were recruited. Clinical grading of facial palsy was measured by House-Brackmann and Nottingham systems. Facial nerve conduction study was performed in the frontalis, orbiculairs oculi, nasalis, and orbicularis oris, and neural preservation rate in the involved side was calculated in each muscle. Results : The clinical grading systems and facial nerve conduction study showed weakly negative correlation (rs, .0.18~.0.22; p>0.05)) within the first two weeks, but showed statistically significant and moderate correlation (rs, 0.64~0.82; p<0.05) after 2 weeks. Conclusion : The clinical grading systems may be related with the neural preservation after 2 weeks and may be used to evaluate the degree of the facial palsy in the clinic.

Key Words: Idiopathic facial pasly, House-Brackmann system, Nottingham system, Facial nerve conduction study